Friday, December 11, 2009

by Brian Knapp (bknapp@sherdog.com)

  Former World Wrestling Entertainment superstar and unbeaten heavyweight mixed martial arts prospect Bobby Lashley has agreed to a multi-year contract with Strikeforce, the promotion announced on Thursday.

 Lashley, 33, will debut on Jan. 30 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. No opponent was named.

 “I’m looking forward to fighting for Strikeforce and challenging myself by taking on some of the top heavyweights in MMA,” Lashley said in a release.

 Undefeated in four professional appearances, Lashley last competed in June, when he smashed through Bob Sapp at a Fight Force International show in Biloxi, Miss. A decorated collegian, he was a three-time NAIA national champion at 177 pounds and a four-time All-American. Lashley was also a two-time Armed Forces champion and a silver medalist at the 2002 World Military Wrestling Championships.